Bobby G. Wilburn

Bobby G. Wilburn, 78, of Abilene, Texas, passed peacefully from this earth on December 10, 2020, after courageously battling COVID-19 for several weeks.

In light of the risks of COVID-19, a small private family graveside service will take place in Canadian at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery.

Bobby (Bob) was born to Frances M. Wilburn and James O. Wilburn on August 24, 1942, in Odessa, Texas. He spent his childhood frequently moving with his family, as his dad was an evangelist and Biblical scholar. He had fond memories of the many friends he made while living in Odessa, Texas; San Diego, California; Lebanon, Oregon; Eugene, Oregon; Gruver, Texas; and Canadian, Texas.

Bob graduated from Canadian High School in 1960 and Abilene Christian University in 1964. His oil and gas career began with Amoco Production Company. Over his 20 years at Amoco, Bob and his family resided in Woodward, Oklahoma; Chicago, Illinois; and throughout Texas in Pampa, Brownfield, Levelland, and Houston. He continued to work independently in oil and gas until his death.

Bob married his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Jo Brown, in 1963. Their firstborn son, Lynn Charles, was born in 1965 and passed away in 1973. They welcomed their daughters, Julie Kris, in 1967, and Jenny Lee, in 1974.

Bob was most proud of his family, specifically his four grandchildren: Alex, Sara, Konner, and Kade. He was always smiling as he shared that Alex attended Abilene Christian University and is now an attorney, and that Sara graduated from Southern Methodist University and is in her second year of law school. He also loved to talk about his twin grandsons. He adored watching Konner play the piano and fiddle, and competing at State UIL Film Festival, and watching Kade play the fiddle and compete in baseball, basketball and football.

Bob loved the Lord and found joy in serving and teaching within the many churches he attended. He was passionate about teaching the Bible in Ghana, Africa, supporting High Plains Children’s Home, and delivering Meals on Wheels.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jo; his two daughters, Julie Wright and her husband, Alan, of The Woodlands, Texas, and Jenny Frazier and her husband, Kerry, of Tuscola, Texas; his granddaughters, Alex Abston and Sara Abston, of Houston, Texas, and grandsons, Kade Frazier and Konner Frazier, both of Tuscola, Texas. He is also survived by his loving brother, Dr. Jim Wilburn and his wife Gail, of Malibu, California. He is preceded in death by his son, Lynn Charles Wilburn, and his sister, Betty Listenbee, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Jo, Julie, and Jenny want to sincerely thank each person that has prayed for Bob, and for those who have called, texted, or emailed during this time. We know Dad would be humbled by your kindness and concern. We are also grateful for the wonderful and compassionate care that he received from Dr. Vincent van Acht and the many nurses at Hendrick South Hospital in Abilene, Texas.

Memorials may be sent to High Plains Children’s Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, Texas 79114, https://www.hpch.org/.